Rwanda: The 1993 Rwandan genocide left a scar on the nation with excavations regularly taking place to retrieve those who were lost. 800,000 Tutsis and sympathisers were murdered by the Hutu majority.
They continue to this day, and thousands will never know the fate of friends and relatives. The following photographs were taken in the Kabuga district, east of Kigali following a tip off from a man who remained silent for 24 years. What was uncovered were the remains of thousands of murdered people.
This long-term project investigates post-conflict societal issues and inherited socio-psychological problems. These photographs show the process of excavating Tutsi remains by a community effort from the Rwandan genocide nearly 25 years on. Only a corrugated metal fence separates the excavation site and locals.
Excavators are largely made up of volunteers and people of Hutu and Tutsi ancestry. The terms Hutu and Tutsi were introduced by colonial powers to divide Rwanda. These terms are now illegal to use.
They continue to this day, and thousands will never know the fate of friends and relatives. The following photographs were taken in the Kabuga district, east of Kigali following a tip off from a man who remained silent for 24 years. What was uncovered were the remains of thousands of murdered people.
This long-term project investigates post-conflict societal issues and inherited socio-psychological problems. These photographs show the process of excavating Tutsi remains by a community effort from the Rwandan genocide nearly 25 years on. Only a corrugated metal fence separates the excavation site and locals.
Excavators are largely made up of volunteers and people of Hutu and Tutsi ancestry. The terms Hutu and Tutsi were introduced by colonial powers to divide Rwanda. These terms are now illegal to use.
Excavated bones are placed and wait to be sorted.
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A volunteer worker emerges from an excavation site, wherin 2018, thousands were discovered in four mass graves.
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Any clothing discovered will usually contain identification in the form of ID cards, wallets and photographs. DNA tests are also performed.
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Outside of the excavation site, everyday Rwandans go about their day.
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Workers remove soil using a pulley system.
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An excavation hole ready to be filled back in.
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Remains are transferred to a nearby facility for cleaning, testing and preparation for a formal burial.
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Fully cleaned, human remains including skulls may offer clues as to the cause of death and possible DNA testing.
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Bags filled with hair of victims retrieved from excavation sites.
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A volunteer prepares tarps for excavators to store any remains that are uncovered.
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